Professional Experience
I’ve been in practice since 2008.
Prior to this, while in graduate school, I trained at a hospital clinic in Duluth, MN where I performed individual and family assessments. Later on, I trained at a psychiatric hospital in Kansas City, KS treating serious mental health issues.
After earning my masters degree in 2008 from The University of Kansas, I practiced for a short while at a little community mental health clinic in Montana, working with individuals and couples as well as running a support and education group for veterans.
From there I moved to Fergus Falls, MN where I worked at another community mental health clinic, treating adults, children, and couples, as I finished up completing my independent licensure.
Once independently licensed, I moved back to Duluth, MN and for about 8 years I worked at a mental health clinic connected to a hospital, treating adults and couples, as well as running therapy groups for depression, anxiety, and trauma that focused on healing through the mind-body connection. I also worked in the hospital’s Pulmonary Rehab and In-patient Psychiatric departments.
Now in my own private practice in Texas, I see adults and couples as well as teach classes online about mind-body healing practices.
Because I never wanted to specialize and I’ve worked in both rural and urban settings, I have extensive experience helping people from all walks of life with a wide variety problems and diagnoses.
My clinical education includes training in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Clinical Hypnosis, and a variety of somatic (body-focused) therapies. Additionally, I have extensive training in working with the mind-body connection and subtle energy.
Personal Background
I was raised on the shores of Lake Superior, in Duluth, MN. With only a handful of neighbors my age, I spent lots of time alone immersed in nature. In the woods behind my home, or on the rocky beach of the great lake, or hiking up the rivers that fed it. When I wasn’t exploring, I was drawing or building.
Growing up, I was interested in music, ideas, and people. My favorite books were by Emerson and Thoreau. And I’m convinced that without playing the drums in different bands in high school, as well as my own rock band, I may not have survived. The drums helped me find like-minded people who felt as much as I did, and needed to express it.
In college, I fell in love even more with books and ideas. Even though I knew it wouldn’t pay the bills, I couldn’t help but pursue English and Philosophy. Interspersed in my college days were stints on both coasts, seeking the lives I was reading about.
While I’ve worked a variety of of jobs in my life, I found the most joy in those focused on helping others. This led me to therapy. Nothing has been more professionally meaningful to me than helping people find solutions to their concerns, feel better, and heal.
Today, I love my work. But even more – I love my wife and children. I still greatly enjoy nature; hiking, backpacking, pretending I can rock climb. Playing the drums eventually gave way to the ukulele and recently the guitar (easier for the little ones to sleep through). I also continue to be fascinated by the study of subtle energy related to healing and growth.
But when I’m not doing all of that, I relish in writing, teaching, and practicing therapy.
I am a father, a husband, a son, a brother, a friend, a writer, a teacher, a forever-student, and a therapist.